Berlin – September 08, 2026 -- The German environmental group Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH) has filed a lawsuit at the Administrative Court of Braunschweig challenging the approval of the pesticide Joystick, arguing it releases the persistent chemical trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) into the environment.
EFSA toughens its health risk assessment of TFA
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recently strengthened its health risk evaluation of TFA, citing evidence that the substance can alter levels of thyroxine, a thyroid hormone. EFSA also flagged the need for further research into long-term risks, including potential cancer risk and effects on the immune system.
Joystick's active ingredient breaks down into TFA
Joystick, a herbicide used in field crop farming, contains the active ingredient diflufenican. According to recent scientific findings cited by DUH, this compound degrades in the environment partly into TFA.
DUH demands an immediate halt to all TFA-forming pesticide approvals
Jürgen Resch, DUH's national director, said the updated EFSA assessment is a clear warning sign, noting that TFA builds up permanently in the environment and is almost impossible to remove from drinking water once present. He said authorities cannot afford to wait while groundwater and drinking water become further contaminated, and called for the immediate withdrawal of approval for Joystick and all other TFA-forming pesticides.
TFA has already been found nearly everywhere in German groundwater
TFA belongs to the group of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), known for being extremely persistent and mobile. The European Chemicals Agency has classified TFA as reproductive toxicant category 1B for developmental harm, and as very persistent and very mobile, meaning it can potentially harm a fetus and impair fertility. Conventional drinking water treatment methods cannot adequately remove it.
DUH is pursuing multiple related legal cases
The Braunschweig court is currently handling several DUH cases seeking to overturn approvals for TFA-forming pesticides. DUH is also challenging other approval decisions by Germany's Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety, as well as what it calls insufficient remediation programs across six major German river basin districts.